Another region sitting on the lodge’s
doorstep is Marlborough – a little over an hour
away to the north-west of Lake Rotoroa.
The Marlborough countryside –
landforms and waterways – is strikingly beautiful,
the climate unsurpassed, and together they provide the
perfect backdrop for the many forms of recreation available,
from relaxing in the pleasant surroundings of a winery
to cruising the sparkling waters of the Marlborough Sounds.
All the activities
described here are approximately 2 hours leisurely drive
from Lake Rotoroa Lodge
Vineyards
and Wine
Wine buff or enthusiastic amateur, Marlborough is a must
for any guests interested in the fruit of the vine and
what is being done in New Zealand’s largest wine-producing
region.
Predominant wine varieties grown
are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir,
pinot gris, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and uniquely Marlborough
methode traditionelle (the closest thing to champagne
outside France!)
Feel free to explore independently
or, better still, ask the lodge to organise a Wine Trail
for you with a driver/guide. Either way, talk to us and
familiarise yourself with our own carefully selected wine
list (many of which are from Marlborough) and then
spend a day visiting the vineyards and wineries from which
they emanate.
Queen
Charlotte Sound
Queen Charlotte Sound (only 90 minutes from the lodge
or a mere 20 minutes by helicopter departing from our
own helipad) is a fascinating maze of bays and inlets,
with sheltered anchorages and excellent fishing.
And it does not end there: when
you decide to venture ashore, you can visit welcoming
restaurants, or stroll along the walking tracks through
native forest full of the sound of abundant birdlife.
There are many ways to enjoy the Queen Charlotte Sound,
and one of the easiest and most popular is a day cruise,
organised by the lodge and customised to your interests
and objectives.
A two-hour trip to visit some of
the prettiest bays in the Sound, a combination of a boat
cruise and a walk on a section of the track from one of
the many points
Queen
Charlotte Track
The Queen Charlotte walking track stretches 42 miles (67
km) from historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa through lush coastal
forest around coves and inlets. You can walk the entire
track over four days (leaving from your base at Lake Rotoroa
Lodge and returning to the lodge at the completion of
your adventure) or be dropped off by boat at one of the
many bays for a short day walk and be picked up further
on.
Water
Activities
Wildlife reserves in the Sound ensure the preservation
of rare species and provide an opportunity to observe
where protection encourages tameness.
Port
Underwood Road
Turn off State Highway 1 at Tuamarina for this alternative
route to Picton. The road offers spectacular views over
Cook Strait and passes through a region rich in pre-European
and colonial history. South Island Maori chiefs met here
to sign the Treaty of Waitangi.
The road is mostly metal and steep
in parts and suits experienced drivers. Rather avoid driving
it yourself? Then let the lodge arrange for a 4-wheel
drive vehicle (SUV) with a skilled driver to enhance your
scenic enjoyment. (If driving yourself, allow 2 hours
to Picton.)
Queen
Charlotte Drive
A popular route between Picton and Havelock with views
of the Sounds. Linkwater lies at the start of the Kenepuru
road, while the short Anakiwa side road leads to the settlement
of Tirimoana. From this peaceful and sheltered bay, you
can stroll through the native forests of one of the prettiest
sections of the Queen
Charlotte Track.
Havelock
Havelock, ‘the green-shelled mussel capital of the
world’, is a small town with a big history, lending
a charming character to this busy settlement at the head
of Pelorus Sound.
Gold mines and mills, where huge
logs from the bush were broken down, have given way to
cafés and art galleries. Don't miss The Mussel
Boys restaurant for delicious green-lipped mussels prepared
in more ways than you could dream of!
Tennyson
Inlet
The tallest stands of native forest in the province towering
over lush tree ferns frame a myriad of secluded coves
that make up this area of the Marlborough Sounds.
Turn off at Rai Valley township
and when you reach Tennyson Saddle you will be rewarded
with one of the most photographed views in Marlborough.
The track to nearby Nydia Bay, which takes six hours for
the return journey, passes through majestic stands of
virgin native forest. The sheltered clear waters provide
an equally magnificent perspective from boat or canoe.
French
Pass and D'Urville Island
The remote, yet cozy, seaside settlement of French Pass
watches over an awe-inspring and rich wilderness area.
The clear waters around nearby D'Urville Island are abundant
with the sort of fish that tall tales are made of, while
nature reserves and sanctuaries on smaller islands provide
opportunities to observe rare wildlife species. Tracks
and mountain bike trails take you to the most remote unspoilt
destinations.
Boutique
Breweries and Gourmet Foods
Taste the province's own unique brews at one of the boutique
breweries or sample fruit brandy from the local distillery.
Marlborough has an exhaustive list
of foods from venison and salmon to export-grade cherries
and olives. Always ask when you visit the local restaurants
what their particular speciality is.
Arts &
Crafts
A thriving art and craft community resides in Marlborough
with more than 30 locals opening their premises to visitors,
and lodge guests are always particularly welcome.
See weavers, artists, a silk painter,
bone carver, dried flower arrangers, potters and wood
sculptors. The lodge will be pleased to provide you with
a copy of the popular art and craft trail map.
Gardens
Take some time along the way to visit Marlborough’s
public parks, including Pollard Park and Seymour Square
in Blenheim, or the host of private gardens whose owners
are happy to share them with lodge guests
The
Marlborough Sounds
A visit to Marlborough (just over an hour’s leisurely
drive from the lodge or approx 15 minutes in a helicopter
departing from our own helipad) is not complete without
taking in the vistas of the Sounds. These sheltered waters,
made up of the Queen Charlotte, Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds,
provide the perfect environment for sailing, cruising,
fishing, diving, sea kayaking and viewing marine life.
The lodge will be pleased to organise
a day cruise in either the Queen Charlotte or Pelorus/Kenepuru
Sounds and allow you to take in the varied sights from
friendly dolphins to the mussel and salmon farms.
Walking/Trekking
Whether you want to climb on snow-covered slopes or just
a short walk close to town, we have the experience for
you and will make all the necessary arrangements. This
province is unspoilt and unpopulated and encompasses the
true meaning of getting away from it all.
From a short twenty-minute walk
on the Wither Hills near Blenheim, a half-hour stroll
over the former Maori pa site at Karaka Point in Picton,
to the four-day Queen
Charlotte Track, Marlborough has a range of walks
to suit the needs of any guest
Marine
Life
Just an hour and a half drive from Blenheim, Kaikoura
is a small seaside village with some rather large inhabitants.
Here you can see the giant sperm whale just off the coast
either by aerial or boat tour. Kaikoura has plenty of
other attractions too, including swimming with seals and
dolphins. We can also organise tours in Picton and Havelock
to experience marine and birdlife firsthand.
Historic
Points of Interest
Brayshaw Historic Museum Park (Blenheim), Riverlands Cob
Cottage (Blenheim), Edwin Fox (Picton), Picton Museum,
Renwick Museum, Havelock Museum, Fyffe House (Kaikoura)
and much more!
Adventures
The following is just a sample of what the Marlborough
Region has to offer and that the team at Lake Rotoroa
Lodge will be pleased to advise on and organise on your
behalf: river boat cruises, 4-wheel driving, horse trekking,
white-water rafting, sea kayaking, mountain biking, golf,
hunting.
